British equities opened lower on Tuesday with the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel weighing on market sentiment, and causing an investor shift to safe-haven assets.

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, North Texas energy experts are closely monitoring the impact on global oil markets — and warning that rising prices at the pump may not be far behind.

Blasts have been heard in Tehran and sirens have sounded in Israel as US president convenes National Security Council.

Sectorally, the mood was subdued across the board, with Pharma, Metal, Manufacturing, Consumer Durables, Oil & Gas, Media, PSU Bank, Realty, PSE, and Auto sectors all slipping over 1%. The IT sector remained the only bright spot, buoyed by a stronger U.S. dollar and optimism ahead of the Fed’s decision.

Asian Markets stared the trading week on a optimistic note with most of the indices closing in green amid geopolitical tensions.